Solar furnace



Jan. 8 1924. 1,479,923

M. E. MOREAU SOLAR FURNACE Jan. 8 1924.

M. E. MOREAU SOLAR FURNACE Filed April lO, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 81924.

M. E. MOREAU SOLAR FURNACE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April lO 1922IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM Avy Patented Jan. V8, 1924.

UNITED STATES MARCEL E. MOREAU, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SOLAR FURNACE.

Application led April 10, 1922. Serial No. 551,294.

T 0 all whom it 'may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, MARCEL ELOI MOREAU, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a 'SolarFurnace, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in solar furnaces wherein aplurality of lenses, arranged to concentrate their focal points on acommon center, operate in conjunction with a plurality of adjustablemirrors or reiiecting elements arranged to reflect solar rays from acomparatively large area through said lenses to produce an intense heatat the common focal point of said lenses.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved solar furnace for producing an intense heat to be used forscientific purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved solarfurnace or heater arranged to collect solar rays from a comparativelylarge area and to concentrate said rays upon a common focal point toproduce an intense heat.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a plurality ofadjustable lenses arranged around a fixed lens and having their focalpoints concentrated upon the focal point of said fixed lens, and aplurality of adjustable mirrors arranged to reflect rays 'parallelto-the rays entering the fixed lens into the adjustable lenses, toconcentrate solar rays upon the common focal point to pr-oduce anintense heat. j

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improveddevice of the character described having improved means for indicatingthe maximum e'ective position of the devices relative tothe suns rays.

A still furtherrobjcct of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved device of the type set forth having means for screening one ormore of the lenses to graduate and control the amount of solar rayspassing therethrough whereby a desired degree of heat may be Obtained.

Another object is to provide Opaque screens whereby one or more of= theadjustable lenses may be rendered inoperative to adjust the amount ofheat at the common center or focal point to the required degree.

I accomplish these and other Objects by means of the improved devicedisclosed in the drawings forming a. part of the present specificationwherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar partsthroughout the said specication and drawings, and in which Fig. 'l is abroken vertical sectional View of a portion of the device, disclosingthe arrangement of the lenses and mirrors;

Fig. 2 is a broken plan of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of -the frame disclosingthe manner in which one of the mirrors is adjustably mounted thereon;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, partly in section, of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the position indicating means;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6 in the directionindicated;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 6 in the directionindicated;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of one of theadjustable lenses and its adjusting mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a broken front elevation of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is a partly broken side elevation of Fig. 1Q; and

Fig. 12 is an elevation of the opposite side of Fie. 11.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 'l is used to designate in generala suitable frame work pivotally mounted upon .any suitable rotary base2, provided with a slotted arcuate' arm 3 engaged by a suitable screw ornut 4 in the frame l whereby the position of the frame l relatively tothe base 2 may be fixed temporarily.

A central lens 6 is fixed within the frame 1 and so positioned that itsfocal point Av will lie within the confines of said frame. A pluralityof lenses 7, mounted Within suitable rings or frames 8, are arrangedpreferably in semi-spherical form around the focal point A and are'universally or adjust-ably mounted to concentrate their focal pointsupon the focal point A of the fixed lens 6, which focal point A thenbecomes a common focal point for all of the lenses.

In Figs. 9 to l2 inclusive I have disclosed one form of means foradjusting each lens whereby its focal point may be accurately focusedupon the point A wherein each frame 8 is provided with a pin 9 slidablyand rotatably mounted in a member 10 which `is in turn slidably androtatably mounted upon a pin 11, arranged trans 'versel tothe pin .8 andrigidly secured to a col ar 12 also rotatably and vslidably mounted, butnot screwed, upon a threaded rod 14 rigidl mounted within a suitable'yoke 16 rlgid y secured to the main frame 1. The member 10 is providedwith suitable split ends and screws 17 and 18 to rigidly engage andprevent the turning. of the pins 49 and 11 res ectively while the collar12 is provided wit a-.similar screw 19 to prevent -rotation o f s aidcollar on? the `threaded rod 14.

Incidentally the coll ar'A 12 ismoved along the threaded rod 14 byrotating nuts 21 `screwed upon said rod 14 whereby the lens '8 and itsframe 9 may bemoved'longitudinally ofthe .fliglltrays passingtherethrough to adj ust the 20'."focal .point of said leus uponl thecommon focal point A. 4

"As the pins 9 and 11, and the threaded rod 14 are arranged at rightangles to each other it is obvious that the frame 8 and lens 7 thereinmay be rections androtated upon said plus and'rod l vwithin threedifferent planes thereby providing what might be termed, a universalVadjustment to secure accuracy in concentrating the focalpoint of eachlens 7 upon the common'focal point A.

f- In order'jto collect 'andl concentrate solar.

rays 'parallel to 'the solarrays entering the lixed lens 6I have.provided a plurality of turn pivotallymounted upon the mainl frame 1 asat26; .the-pivotal aires' 23 of the mirrors 22 being arranged at rightangles to j the pivoted axes 26 of the supporting frames l24W erebvthesaid mirrors 22 may be accu? I rate y adj-usted to reflect said'parallel solar .d tained by means of 'suitable screws 27 Arays directlythrough the-'lenses 7.

These adjustments are'elected and mainmounted within lugs 28 formedintegral with the supporting frames 24 and engagling the oppositetilting'ends or sides of the mirrors 22 while ,similar screws 29 aremounted in-otherlugs 30 lalso formed inte gral with the supportingframes 24 and en -gagingthe main .framev 1 on opposite sides of thepivots 26 of sai d s'u porting frames By means'of 'this 'sin'i'p e andnovel arrangement the 4(planes: of the mirrors 22 may be adjusted an.maintained in correct position to reflect aralleljsolar rays directlyinto the lenses.l A i..

In order to position the lenses relatively vmu'st be properlypositioned.

inoved in three ditothe solar rays obtain a maximum efliciency, itis, ofcourse, essential that the fixed lens 6 must4 be primarily positionedtransversel to the solar rays entering it, and as sai lens -6 is fixedthe entire device A s a' vmeansv of indicating absolute or maximumefliciency position of the lens 6 to said solar rays I have 'providedthe infdicating Atube 32 having an upperannular flange 33 and a lower-sighting disc'34 arranged belowy said indicating tube 32.- This tube isaccurately positionedl transversely to the ixedlens 6 and rigidlyconnected to the main frame 1. l'

-Theentire device is positioned by firstI moving the frame onitsfrotatable standard 2 until 'the shadow vof the upper portion ofthe-tube 32 casts no shadow on the. annular flange 33'. When near .thecorrect position B5 a slight shadow of the upper portion of the tube- 32will be cast on the Harige 33 as indicated -in Fig. 7 of the drawings.The device is then-manipulated until no shadow appears. `The ends of the`tube 32are provided' with restricted openings and the en.`

tire deyice is now moved slightly to a posi- 'tion where aninfinitesimal number .of Arays may'traverse the said tube 32 and ap earin 'the center ofthe shadow S on the sighting 34`as disclosed in: Fig.A8'of the draw- As the position of the sun changes the poi sition of thedevice may be changed periodi-y cally until'the rays reappear on thedisc34.

In order to regulate andn control the amount of heat concentrated at thecommon focal-point A of all of the lenses, I have provided screens'ofvarious density whereby various degrees of heat maybe absorbed 'orscreened outr before said' rays reach said los common focal point A.These screens m-ay be in the f orm of the glass screen 36 rotat" Lablymouuteduponl a suitable standard 3 7* secured 'to the mainframe 1lwhereby they may b e easily moved into and out of operative position, orsaid screens may be' in the form of. caps as shown at 38 in Fig.l-ofthe.. Y

drawings. v In order to cut out and entirely prevent the passage" ofsolar 'raysf through oneq or` `more of the lenses I have provided opaqueius caps l39 which nay be similarly rotatablyL mounted upon the standard37 or an opaque cap40 arranged to lit directly over the lens frame v8 asdisclosed in thelower portion of,v 'Fig 1 of thedrawings.

The4 heat concentrated by anyone lens' may be readil measured 'anddetermined by cutting out al ofthe other lenses. Similarly the degree ofheat obtainedy may be adjusted by testing out the absorbing qualities ofany screen. n this manner any quantity of heat, within the range of thedevice, may be readily vproduced by exposingithe required V number oflenses in conjunction with suitable screens. The principal utility ofthe device will be found in determining the melting point of extremelyhard elements,

such as porcelain, mica, platinum, steel and other hard products, and itis designed for melting and thereby obtaining the melting point of smallparticles of these various elements.

In operation, the element to be melted is exposed at the common focaloint A where it receives the concentrated eat from the exposed lenses.If these are not sufiicient to melt the element exposed other lenses areexposed until the element is melted. From the number of exposed lenses,in conjunction with the screens used, if any, the melting point of theelement may be determined.

If it is desired to note the result of exposing an element to a certaindegree of heat, that degree of heat is produced at .the common focalpoint A by exposing the required number of lenses.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A solar furnace comprising a fixed lens; a plurality of adjustablelenses positioned adjacent the fixed lens and having their focal pointsconcentrated upon the focal point of the fixed lens; and means forreflecting parallel light rays through said adjustable lenses.

2. A solar furnace comprising a fixed lens; a plurality of adjustablelenses positioned adjacent the fixed lens and having their focal pointsconcentrated upon the focal point of the fixed lens; means forreflectinof parallel light rays through said adjustable lenses; andmeans for adjusting the reflecting means whereby parallel light rays maybe reflected directly through said adjustable lenses.

3. A solar furnace comprising a' fixed lens; a plurality of lensesarranged adjacent the fixed lens; means for concentrating the focalpoint of one or more of said last mentioned lenses upon the focal pointof the fixed lens; and means for reflecting parallel light rays throughsaid second mentioned lenses.

4. A solar furnace comprising a fixed lens arranged transversely to thepath of solar rays; a plurality of lenses arranged adjacent to the fixedlens and having their focal points concentrated on they focal point ofthe fixed lens; andv adjustable mirrors arranged to refiect solar raysparallel to the rays entering the fixed lens into the other lenseswhereby an intense heat may be produced at said common focal point.

5. A solar furnace comprising a fixed lens arranged transversely to thepath of solar rays; a plurality of lenses arranged adjacent to the fixedlens and having their focal points concentrated on the focal point ofthe fixed lens; adjustable mirrors arranged to refiect solar raysparallel to the rays entering the fixed lens into the other lenseswhereby an intense heat may be produced at said commonfocal point; andmeans for preventing a portion of said solar rays from passing throughany one of said lenses. j

6. A solar furnace comprising. a fixed lens arranged transverselyv tothe path of. solar rays; a plurality of lenses arranged adjacent to thefixed lens and having their focal points concentrated on the focal pointof the fixed lens; adjustable mirrors arranged to refiect solar raysparallel to the rays entering the fixed lens into the other lenseswhereby an intense heat may be produced at said common focalpoint; andmeans for graduating the solar rays passing through any one of saidlenses. y

7. A solar furnace comprising a fixed lens arranged transversely to thepath of solar rays; a plurality of lenses arranged adjacent to the fixedlens and having their focal points concentrated o'n the focal point ofthe fixed lens; and adjustable mirrors arranged to reflect solar raysparallel to the rays entering the fixed lens into the other lenseswhereby an intense heatinay be produced at said common focal point; andmeans for preventing the passage of said rays through any one of saidlenses independently of the other lenses whereby the amount of heatconcentrated at the common focal point may becontrolled.

8. A solar furnace comprising a fixed lens arranged transversely to thepathof solar rays; a plurality of lenses arranged adjacent to the fixedlens and having their focal points concentrated on the focal point ofthe fixed lens; adjustable mirrors arranged to reflect solar raysparallel to the rays entering the xed lens into the other lenses wherebyan intense heat may be produced' at said common focal point; and meansfor indicating a maximum effective position of said lenses relatively tothe parallel solar rays.

9. A solar furnace comprising a pivotally mounted frame; a central lensfixed Within said frame, a plurality of lenses adjustably mounted Withinthe frame whereby the focal points of said lenses may be concentrated onthe focal point of the fixed lens; and a plurality of mirrors, one foreach adjustable lens, adjustably mounted upon said frame and arranged toreflect solar rays parallel to 'ra vs entering the fixed lens throughsaid adj ustable lenses whereby heat from rays Within a comparativelylarge area may be concentrated at said common focal point of all thelenses, to produce an intense heat at said common focal point.

l0. A solar furnace comprising a pivotally mountedvfframe; a centrallens fixed Within said frame; a plurality of lenses adj ustably mountedwithin the frame whereby the focal vpoints of said' lenses may beconcentrated on the focal point of the fixed lens; a plurality,ofmi'rrors, one for each adjustable lens, adi' justably'mount'ed uponsaid frame and arranged to reflect solar rays parallel to rays 4entering the' fixed lens through said adjust- `trolled.

able lenses whereby heat from rays within a.' comparatively large areamay be concentrat- 11. A solar furnace comprising a pivotally mountedframe; 'a 'central lens fixed Within said frame; a plurality of lensesadjustably mounted within the frame whereby the focal W .y points ofsaid lenses may be concentratedf A on the focal point of the fixed'lens; a plurall ityof mirrors, one for eachadjustable lens, adjustablymounted upon 'said frame and ar'- A ranged to reflect solar raysparallel to rays,

entering the xed lens through said adjustable lenses whereby heat. fromrays within a comparatively large area maybe concentrated at said commonfocal point of all the I 4 .30 common focal point and means for screenjlenses, toy produce an intense heat at. said ing out andv preventingthepassage of solar rays through any one or all of'the lenses whereby apredetern'iinedquantity of heat may be produced at s a1d common focalpoint. 3 Inhwitness whereof I hereunto 'set my ,y

signature` MARCEL E. MOREAU;

